Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2006-07: After being selected sixth overall in the 2006 OHL Priority Draft, Tyler Cuma went on to have a very good season with the Ottawa 67s. Named team rookie of the year, Cuma registered 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists) in 63 games.

2007-08: The only Ottawa defenseman with a positive plus/minus rating, Cuma was also able to increase his offensive output from the blueline. With 32 points (4 goals, 28 assists) in 59 regular season games, Cuma was second among defensemen on the 67s in scoring. He won Ottawa's Top Scholastic Player and was named to the OHL All-Star Game. Cuma was also named to Team Canada in both the 2007 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2008 U-18 WJCs in Russia. Drafted by Minnesota in the first round, 23rd overall, in 2008.

2008-09: Cuma was expected to challenge for a roster spot on the Wild, represent Canada at the World Junior Championships and lead his vastly improved 67’s deep into the postseason. Cuma did come close to cracking the Wild roster, as he was one of the last players cut, and was all but guaranteed a roster spot on Canada’s junior squad until tearing his MCL at Canada’s world junior camp. After watching team Canada win gold from the side line, Cuma had to have his torn MCL surgically repaired, putting an end to what would have probably been his final year in the OHL.

2009-10: Cuma returned to the Ottawa 67's for a fourth OHL season after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild in July 2011. After playing in just 21 seasons the previous year due to a knee injury, Cuma was a force on defense as Ottawa finished first in the East Division and won a first round playoff series. Skating in 52 of 68 games he scored 5 goals with 17 assists and was +9 with 73 PMs, third most on the team. Cuma played in all 12 playoff games and was -2 with 5 assists and 20 PMS.

2010-11: Cuma skated in 31 games for the AHL's Houston Aeros in his first pro season; suffering a season-ending knee injury in late February. Cuma was -3 for the Aeros, with 1 goal, 3 assists and 15 PMs.

2011-12: Cuma made his NHL debut with the Wild in an April game against Chicago and skated in 73 games for Minnesota's AHL affiliate in Houston in his second pro season. He saw 11 minutes of ice time and had 2 penalty minutes in 16 shifts in his only NHL game. Putting the knee issues of the previous few seasons behind him, he had a full-time role with the Aeros, finishing minus-four with 9 assists and 48 penalty minutes. Houston finished fourth in the West Division; falling to Oklahoma City in four games in a best-of-five first round playoff series. Cuma played in two playoff games and was minus-one with no points or penalty minutes.

2012-13: One season after playing a career-high 73 AHL games and making his NHL debut Cuma was again sidetracked by injuries – missing nearly a month after suffering a foot injury in February. In 42 games for the Wild's AHL affiliate in Houston, he scored 1 goal with 11 assists and was -8 with 14 penalty minutes. The Aeros were fourth in the South Division and lost to Grand Rapids in the first round of the playoffs. Cuma played in one playoff game and was -1 with no points nor penalty minutes. He was re-signed by the Wild to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent in July, 2013.

Talent Analysis

A reliable two-way defenseman of average size, Cuma had a big offensive upside, which he employs effectively without sacrificing coverage in his own zone. A strong skater with excellent puck moving skills, Cuma has a high hockey IQ and good vision. When these talents are coupled with his outstanding work ethic, Cuma has a bright future.

Future

Cuma is an important part of the Iowa blue line who could see some time as an injury call-up this season.

Photo: Zack Mitchell, signed as a free agent by the Wild in March, was a key player in all situations for Guelph as the Storm won the OHL title and made it to the Memorial Cup final (courtesy of CHL Images)

Playoff season is a marathon of several months, and for hockey fans it can be the best and the worst time of the year.

Photo: Defenseman Matt Dumba takes over the top spot in this edition of the Minnesota Wild Top 20. Dumba opened the 2013-14 season in the NHL, but he is currently skating with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks (courtesy of Brad Rempel/Icon SMI)

Photo: Rookie pro Erik Haula already has 10 NHL games under his belt in 2013-14. He is currently with the AHL&rsquo;s Iowa Wild, where he leads the team with 16 points in 22 games this season (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

As the Minnesota Wild goes through periods of unforeseeable injury and head-smacking offensive inability, several burgeoning talents from the Iowa squad have stepped up into NHL roles.

Photo: First-year pro Erik Haula, who has four points in five AHL games this season, represents the depth of talent that the Wild have at the pro level (courtesy of Jason Mowry/Icon SMI)

The Minnesota Wild has taken an aggressive approach in free agency and trade at the NHL level, adding a franchise defenseman in Ryan Suter, and bolstering its forward corps with legitimate NHL stars in Zach Parise and Jason Pominville and a solid defensive presence in Matt Cooke. The confidence to make these moves was in part due to a group of prospects who seemed ready to come in and provide support during their cheaper entry-level contract years.